Brothers dual threat for Mustangs

STOCKTON - The Brown brothers are teammates again after a decade and are wreaking havoc for Delta College to open the 2013 season.

Jagdip Dhillon

STOCKTON - The Brown brothers are teammates again after a decade and are wreaking havoc for Delta College to open the 2013 season.

T.J. And Marcus Brown last played on the same youth football team in 2003 and are back together for the Mustangs (1-1), who will host Feather River (0-2) at 1 p.m. today at De Ricco Field. Delta will "Salute the Military" by allowing all active and retired military members in free with their service ID.

The Mustangs are coming off a 52-6 win over Reedley last Saturday when older brother T.J. Brown caught six passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Marcus Brown has been one of Delta's best defensive lineman with nine tackles, including 21/2 for loss and a sack that included a forced fumble and recovery.

"It's a blessing and it's something we've always wanted to do," said T.J. Brown, who played for Delta in 2011, but sat out last season for academic reasons. "It's awesome knowing he's holding things down on defense and I have a front row seat to watch him."

The Browns said being able to play together in front of their mother Sheryl nearly every week is something they are cherishing. The brothers didn't play together in high school because T.J. Brown, now 20, was about to be a junior at East Union when Marcus was able to find a spot on the St. Mary's team for coach Tony Franks. Now they are living together and enjoying the entire experience.

"He's a model older brother," said 19-year-old Marcus Brown. "He's watched out for me and kept me out of trouble. He's also like a coach for me and I take in everything he says."

Delta coach Gary Barlow said the brothers bring a lot to the team on and off the field, including leadership.

"Both are quality young men outside of their abilities on the field," Barlow said. "They're pleasant to be around, good to work with and good teammates. They're a great combination and we're fortunate to have them on the team."

Barlow said both have the ability to play at a four-year school and he's hopeful they can have the kind of season that will grant them that opportunity. Barlow said T.J. Brown has the ability "to get behind the coverage and change the scoreboard" and Marcus Brown has become a force on the defensive front.

"It's fun because we're both in this together and to be able to do this in our last year is great and I wouldn't trade it for anything," T.J. Brown said. "

Barlow swapped quarterbacks last week with Jeremy Mata replacing starter Cody Weinzheimer after his bouts of ineffectiveness. The coach said he wouldn't announce a starter until kickoff today. Mata was 10 of 14 for 244 yards and three touchdowns, while Weinzheimer was 6 of 12 for 50 yards against Reedley.